Monday, July 20, 2015

Weekend Getaway: 25. Jog Falls: Rain, Rain, Rain and Rain

Date: 18th July 2015

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Stay: Matthuga home stay

Transport: Train, Talguppa express.

Trip to Jog was long pending and decided to go here during the monsoon. Did not know the effect then ;). Its both good and bad to visit Jog during rainy season. Its nice if you have nothing to do but just sit and watch the rain whole day. Its bad if you need to venture out as you will be constantly worried about the gadgets and kid :)

Slight drizzle welcomed us in the station. We were prepared fully for the situation. Took a cab to Matthuga home stay which was 4.5 Kms from the station.

We checked into the room and got ready to visit the falls. The care taker of the homestay called an auto for us. It was pouring continuously. This is how it was at 10 in the morning.

You cannot miss the chance to take photo when ever rain god takes a break ;). Flower in home stay garden.

Jog was 8Kms from the homestay. For 500Rs the auto driver agreed to take us to both sides of the falls and bring back to the home stay.

Reached the world famous Jog falls :)

Bridge over the Sharavati river.

Harsh infront of river.

You can either take the vehicle inside or park it outside. Car Rs30, Auto Rs 20, Bike Rs10 and entry free for individual is Rs5. Its a big complex with various other attractions like children play area, view point etc.. The main attraction in the falls. Finally infront of the second biggest unbroken falls in India.

And this is how it was when we reached. Believe me there is a water fall in this pic falling at 829 ft :). Someone rightly said you need lot of patience for photography. We waited for the clouds to clear and have a look at the falls.

After few minutes the clouds cleared and had our first sighting of the four falls. Yes there was not much water as seen in the movies or in some other pics but the view was beautiful.

Full view of the majestic falls. Raja, Roarer, Rocket and Rani falls. Raja falls is the one that falls at the height of 829 feet without making contact to the rocks. First highest in Meghalaya falling at 1100ft. There will be more water at the end of monsoon which is around last week of August.

Rightmost is the Raja falls, then next is smaller Roarer falls, third is the rocket falls, and last is the Rani falls. After spending around 45 minutes we went to the complex where there are plenty of place to eat. Almost all the shops sell same idly, dosa, bread omelet, chapatti, egg rice and pulav.

One must try Pineapple here. I guess its the season now and we get yummy pineapple here. We got 2 slices initially then again 2 and then again 2 more and then again 1 :) Do not miss it.

We went to other side of the falls next. From here too we can get a good look of the falls but i could not make out which was what falls. I guess once upon a time tourist were allowed till edge of the falls but now its all blocked. Have heard a lot of unpleasant incidents at this place and that could be the reason for restrictions.

On the main view side there are steps to go down but it was closed now.

View of the main Jog complex from other side.

We had planned this as a 2 day trip but cut it short to one day because of continuous rain. The homestay owner was kind enough to refund our one day money even for our change in plan.